Imphal, Today, Irom Sharmila, the iconic activist will be going to end her 16 year long fast, as has not eaten a morsel for 16 years in protest against alleged army atrocities in Manipur.

The 44-year-old has been force-fed through a nasal tube for years at a prison hospital in Imphal.

Irom will break her fast at a court, taking the first in a series of steps towards a new life that will include politics and marriage.

She has said that she will contest elections as an independent candidate.

Irom today will take her first sips of juice in the presence of a large number of supporters but her 84-year-old mother Shakhi Devi will not be there, which was read by some as a sign that she is not completely on board with the big step.

A doctor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, said "A person who has not eaten solid food for 16 years cannot start it suddenly. She has to start slowly and gradually in small quantities".

"Irom Sharmila is free to decide her future but we will continue fight against AFSPA", said 40-year-old Salima, whose husband was killed in 2012.